Meena Sankaran

[New Future Cities Africa episode] Dive into an illuminating report on the promising development of green hydrogen industries within Namakwa District Municipality, with Thina Nzo (Ph.D). Explore how this emerging sector could transform the local economy and landscape, addressing both the significant potential benefits and the complex challenges faced. Watch or Read: https://lnkd.in/eHJbvtEi

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Emmanuel Khisa, Africa Director at the @Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure, outlines the role of #DigitalPublicInfrastructure in transforming lives across Africa. Through the successful implementation of eKYC for social protection and digital health, Emmanuel illustrates the potential of DPI to uplift communities, even in challenging environments. He revealed that with a commitment to locally appropriate solutions, CDPI is ensuring that digital infrastructure is inclusive, resilient, and truly reflective of African realities. He highlights the need for infrastructure, political will, and tailored technology in building a digitally connected Africa. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e8M8pNRA #DPI #DigitalTransformation #AfricaTech #Inclusion #DigitalInfrastructure #Innovation #Zambia #CDPI #eKYC #DigitalDevelopment

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A new dawn: PPPs in the transmission sector in Kenya will set the scene for similar investment in Africa, following on the country’s successes in the development of the Independent Power Producer (IPP) market.

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Emmanuel Khisa, Africa Director for Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure - CDPI, sheds light on the role of #DigitalPublicInfrastructure in transforming lives across Africa. By implementing innovative solutions like eKYC for banking and social protection, Emmanuel emphasises that the foundation for DPI’s success lies in a mix of infrastructure, strong political will, and locally adapted technology. He also revealed that wireless and low-tech solutions are key to expanding digital access in rural areas, adding that CDPI aims to work across nations like Uganda, Nigeria, and Ethiopia to create open, interoperable, and inclusive digital systems that cater Africa’s needs. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e8M8pNRA #DigitalTransformation #AfricaTech #PublicInfrastructure #DPI #Innovation #DigitalInclusion #Zambia #Leadership #LocalSolutions #TechForGood #CDPI

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I can support analysis and data visualization 👍 part if possible

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🌍 Thrilled to have led a two-day dynamic workshop on Digital Transformation as part of the Ethiopia Executive Leaders Program under the UAE Government Experience Exchange Program GovExchange, in cooperation with the MBR School of Government. It was inspiring to dive deep into Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey with leaders who share a bold vision for the future. Ethiopia has already made significant strides, with the establishment of a National AI Policy, an Artificial Intelligence Institute, and a 10-year Development Strategy 2030—an impressive foundation to become a leading nation in digital innovation within Africa. During the workshop, we explored both the challenges and opportunities of Ethiopia’s path to becoming a digital-first nation. We brainstormed innovative ideas to address key barriers, from infrastructure to access to technology, to skill-building and governance. A heartfelt thank you to the Ethiopian government leaders for their valuable insights and to MBR School of Government and GovExchange for the opportunity to contribute to this important dialogue. Looking forward to seeing Ethiopia’s digital ambitions flourish! #DigitalTransformation #AI #Innovation #Leadership #UAE #Ethiopia #Africa #responsibleai #executiveeducation

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The Mining Show 2024 is here again, the 16th Edition. I will be sharing Sierra Leone's perspective on two Critical Issues. 1. Real-time visibility using gateways, sensors, and tracking platforms to collect, process, and analyze data for informed decisions, and 2. How exceeding carbon targets and ESG commitments in mining operations will save costs, enhance reputation, and attract investments.

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This Accion brief reveals Kenya's rollout of the new digital ID, #MaishaNamba, addressing the complex interplay between technology, trust, and citizen engagement in building #DigitalPublicInfrastructure. This brief also tackles digital IDs as a key tool to accessing essential services, citizen concerns which ranges from transparency to exclusion risks to improve responsible and accountable systems. Key takeaways: understanding citizen perspectives is crucial for effective DPI interventions, addressing transparency, accountability, and user value is essential to build trust and lessons from Kenya resonate globally, especially in contexts with low state capacity and trust. Read the brief here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eNRmSUNF #DigitalID #DPI #InclusiveDigitalization #PublicTrust #DigitalTransformation

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Decrepit #electricity-grid #infrastructure is what Mr. Minister of Power should have addressed, instead of throwing the entire sector into avoidable turmoil. https://lnkd.in/dBCWcsM9

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Exciting times ahead as #WFP partners with #Viamo to pilot #AI-powered voice assistant through the Farm to Market Alliance (#FtMA) in #Tanzania! 🌱📱 Viamo’s “Voice Companion” enables #farmers to ask open-ended questions and receive personalized, real-time responses via voice calls, even on non-internet phones. By leveraging Automatic Speech Recognition (#ASR) and Natural Language Processing (#NLP), it ensures an inclusive, conversational experience for those with limited tech literacy. This #innovative approach will provide invaluable insights into how AI can help farmers 🧑🏻‍🌾 access crucial resources and reliable information—empowering them to navigate the increasing challenges posed by #climatechange and enhance #productivity. 🌾 🔔 Full Blog: https://lnkd.in/dCvZ2-8v

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Reflecting on #PIDAWeek 2024: A Milestone for Africa's Infrastructure Future #PIDAWeek 2024 emphasized how transboundary projects—whether in energy, water, transport, or digital connectivity—are not just infrastructure investments but pathways to economic integration and resilience. Together, let’s continue to build an integrated Africa, driving shared prosperity. To meet Africa’s vast infrastructure needs, we need to champion innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships, blended financing, guarantees, de-risking and engagements from sovereign wealth and pension funds. Collaborative efforts among governments, development partners, and the private sector are essential to unlocking this potential and advancing AU’s Agenda 2063. The time for bold, collective action is now! At the heart of our discussions was the recognition that infrastructure isn’t just about building roads, power lines, or digital networks—it’s about empowering people and driving inclusive growth. Initiatives like Mission 300 aim to bring electricity to 300 million people, while water and transport projects enhance resilience and connectivity and digital infrastructure serves as a a launchpad to unleash economic transformation. By investing in these sectors, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable Africa. Let’s continue this transformational journey! #PIDA2024 #TransformativeInfrastructure #InnovativeSolutions #RegionalIntegration #WorldBank #Africanunion #AuDANepad

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The latest Off-grid Solar Market Trends Report from GOGLA, Dalberg, and The World Bank highlights a challenging reality: current market mechanisms and funding approaches are insufficient to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. This discussion was also a key topic for debate at the #GOGSFE conference last month. At Practical Action, we recently conducted an analysis on the business models and financial interventions that could effectively provide Tier 1 electricity access to people in extreme poverty across #Zambia, #Rwanda, and #Nepal. We present that in three briefs, summarized in a new blog, link below. 💡 Energy-as-a-Service (#EaaS) combined with a 50% subsidy has shown significant potential. For example, it could enable first access to Tier 1 Solar Home Systems for 1.7 million households living in extreme poverty in Zambia with a $71M subsidy injection, and for 620,000 households in Rwanda with $41M. Achieving this scale of impact, however, requires careful design and deployment of these mechanisms to address the challenges that typically restrict access to them for those living in extreme poverty. The findings were developed using a model we created with Kuungana Advisory for the Transforming Energy Access study, “Can Market Mechanisms enable Energy Access for People in Extreme Poverty?”. For a full analysis of the findings, check out our blog and the accompanying resources in the link below. Thomas Stevenson Stephen Nash Niraj Shrestha Min Bikram Malla Ndahimana Anaclet Robert Mutalindwa Harriet Bradshaw-Smith Angus Vantoch-Wood REAL (Rural Energy Access Lab) John Keane Brave Mhonie Thomas SAMUEL

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